Effect of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation combining with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on rehabilitation of rat spinal cord injury

To investigate the effect of BMSCs transplantation plus hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on repair of rat SCI.Seventy five male rats were divided randomly into five groups: sham, vehicle, BMSCs transplantation group, combination group, 15 rats in each group. Every week after the SCI onset, all animals were evaluated for behavior outcome by Basso-Beattle-Bresnahan (BBB) score and inclined plane test. Axon recovery was examined with focal spinal cord tissue by electron microscope at 6 weeks after the SCI onset. HE staining and BrdU staining were performed to examine the BMSCs and lesion post injury. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) testing was performed to detect the recovery of neural conduction.Results from the behavior tests from combination group were significant higher than rats which received only transplantation or HBO treatment. Results from histopathology showed favorable recovery from combination group than other treatment groups. The number of BrdU(+) in combination group were measureable more than transplantation group (P < 0.05). The greatest decrease in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-α determined by Elisa assay in combination group were evident too.BMSCs transplantation can promote the functional recovery of rat hind limbs after SCI, and its combination with HBO has a synergistic effect.